Black Cultural Zone, a community-led model for ownership and economic power in East Oakland

Top Stories Black Cultural Zone, a community-led model for ownership and economic power in East Oakland Preserving culture while investing in housing, small businesses and youth opportunity across East Oakland. Alyssa Squires, for NBA.com February 27, 2026 9:00 PM Participants dance during the Melon Jubilee & AKOMA Grant Market at Liberation Park. In East Oakland, community-led development is creating pathways to ownership, economic mobility and long-term stability for legacy Black residents. The Black Cultural Zone is advancing long-term neighborhood investment by centering Black arts, culture, and economic development. Its mission is to center Black culture while designing and resourcing neighborhood transformation alongside residents. The organization’s C.R.E.A.T.E. values, Collaboration, Respect, Execution Speed, Accountability, Tenacity and Equity, guide six core teams spanning economic development, real estate and community experience across the 60×60 block area it serves. “We aren’t just building projects. We are building a collaborative hierarchy that empowers the community to lead its own development.” Through its Anchor and Compass engagement model, Black Cultural Zone ensures that strategy begins with community voice and translates into community ownership. Every initiative, from commercial development to youth pathways, is grounded in resident leadership. Building Permanence Through Place A live performance at the Levitt VIBE Concert series brings residents together. For Black Cultural Zone (BCZ), economic power begins with permanence. “Our work is a modern manifestation of the Sankofa Journey, where we reach back to gather the best of our past to build a flourishing future.” That philosophy is visible at Liberation Park, one of the organization’s Catalyst Hubs and a declaration of what it calls a “Right to Belong.” In a neighborhood shaped by displacement, the park represents reinvestment directed by and for legacy residents. The forthcoming Liberation Park Market Hall & Residences expands that commitment by pairing affordable housing with a permanent home for Black-owned commerce. Managed through BCZ’s HOME Method, the development is designed to remain welcoming, safe and human-centered while anchoring long-term economic activity. As once-neglected parcels become restored for community use in what the organization describes as “sacred spaces for collective power,” development becomes both infrastructure and stability. Community members gather at the AKOMA Grand Market, supporting local vendors and celebrating Black culture in East Oakland. And through the AfroPortals Project Space & Archive, Black Cultural Zone safeguards the stories and artistry of Black Oakland, reinforcing that growth must protect memory as well as generate opportunity. Programs such as the Levitt VIBE Concert Series and the Akoma Grand Market further position culture and entrepreneurship side by side, ensuring celebration and commerce strengthen one another. For BCZ, building power means moving from displacement to ownership. Shifting Capital and Control “True power is a self-sufficient ecosystem where our residents aren’t just employees, but owners and decision-makers.” That belief drives RISE East, a 100 million dollar aligned investment strategy transforming the 40×40 neighborhood through coordinated public, private, and philanthropic capital. The initiative prioritizes community stakeholders in both decision-making and long-term benefit. Entrepreneurship is central to that ecosystem. Through the Recompete Pilot Program, BCZ completed several key programs in the past year and distributed more than $26,000 in direct incentives to local entrepreneurs, strengthening small businesses as neighborhood anchors. To combat displacement at its root, the organization utilizes the Liberated Land Trust to secure permanent community ownership of property. Its commercial stewardship framework provides business owners with technical assistance designed for long-term sustainability, and the investment in youth strengthens that pipeline. During the 2023 to 2024 cycle, BCZ supported 23 college enrollments and 20 full-time job placements, expanding pathways to economic mobility and leadership within the community. Community-Led Safety and Sustainability Black Cultural Zone Community Stewards support neighborhood safety through trusted, on-the-ground engagement in East Oakland. Sustainable development also requires safety and environmental health. Black Cultural Zone has deployed 161 trained Community Stewards who have facilitated more than 15,000 positive interactions across the neighborhood. This model centers trust and proximity, redefining public safety through community presence. Through Clean Air East Oakland, the organization addresses environmental inequities that have historically impacted Black residents, reinforcing that revitalization must be healthy as well as prosperous. By 2029, BCZ projects will scale to 416 employees, signaling sustained investment in workforce development and neighborhood infrastructure. During Black History Month, Black Cultural Zone’s work demonstrates how culturally grounded, community-led investment can preserve legacy while generating measurable economic impact. It offers a blueprint rooted in ownership, accountability and collective power. Click here to learn more about Black Cultural Zone and its work in East Oakland. Related NBA Foundation Announces Round 16 Grants Round 16 grants expand youth pathways as the NBA Foundation invests in creative careers and workforce readiness. All-Star Pitch Competition takes place in LA The fifth annual NBA All-Star Pitch competition took place on Feb. 12 before All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles. Foundation Friday: Big Thought empowers youth Big Thought and the NBA Foundation empower youth through out-of-school time programs, arts and mentorship that center young voices. 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